​Mrs. Hughes

One reason why it's a great day to be an Indian? Because I get to work with Donna and Deana - they are awesome!!!

What book have you recently read?John Grisham - Sycamore Row

Something that makes you smile? My girls - they crack me up! My students because they are funny!

If someone gave you $1000 to spend on your classroom, what would you buy? Tablets for my students - with technology the way it is - my students would be more prepared for the real world.​What is your favorite breakfast food? Apple fritters & sweet tea

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?Helping a student get into the THRIVE program at Univ. of Central Missouri and helping students go to the Tim Tebow Foundation's NIGHT TO SHINE Prom for students with special needs.

​Mrs. Muckerman

"Every day I start my day with..." COFFEE!!!

What book have you recently read? I just finished The Girl on the Train.

What college degrees do you hold?B. A. and M. A in Communication Disorders/Speech Science

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Peru

If someone gave you $20, what would you spend it on? Dinner at Flatbranch

When you were young what did you want to be when you grew up? An airline stewardess

What is your favorite breakfast food? Cereal

Where did you attend high school and college?Kenmore High School in Akron, Ohio; University of Colorado - Boulder

​Miss vroman

What magazine subscriptions do you receive? The Magnolia Journal

What college degrees do you hold?AA, Bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, and I graduate with my MAT in May

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Greece

If someone gave you $20, what would you spend it on? Starbucks!

What was your first job? Heuer's Cafe when it was in Hallsville

What did you want to be when you grew up? A Teacher!

Where did you attend high school and college?Hallsville and Columbia College

​Ms. White

Why is it a great day to be an Indian?It's great to teach here and be trusted to make decisions to improve the lives of students!

What do you do to relax? Hiking, biking, playing with my kiddos

"Every day I start my day with..." A shower. You're welcome :-)

What are three songs we'd find on your iTunes playlist? Respect (Aretha Franklin), Shake It Off (Taylor Swift), and Just the Two of Us (Will Smith)

What is your favorite breakfast food? French Toast from Cafe Berlin!

What are some of your favorite things? My Roomba, my cyclo-cross bike, and our Apple TV...all things to make my life easier!

What college degrees do you hold? Bachelor of Science in Business, Master of Arts in Teaching, and I'm working on my Educational Specialist in Administration... and that's as far as I go! Probably...

​Mrs. Vroman

"Every day I start my day with..." The school's oatmeal and visiting with a student, teacher or parent in my office.

What are three songs we'd find on your iTunes playlist? You Should Be Here-Cole Swindell, Big Green Tractor-Jason Aldean, Red-Taylor Swift.

What was your first job? Working the drive-thru window at Hardee's.

Where did you attend high school and college? Hallsville R-IV then on to Stephens College

Who has been a great influence on your life and why? My mom and dad, they gave me the perfect childhood growing up on a farm and my daughter helping me to think outside the box!

What are some of your favorite things? Hearing our students laugh and watching them succeed!

What are some of your favorite things? Elvis, NASCAR, and country music!

​Mrs. Snelling

If someone gifted you $1,000 for your classroom, what instructional materials would you purchase? A spectrophotometer or mini PCR machine!

What are you currently reading for enjoyment? The Serengeti Rules: The Quest to Discover How Life Works and Why It Matters

What was the name of your first pet? A fluffy yellow cat named Melvin.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment? Being selected as high school science teacher of the year for Missouri!

What is something that makes you smile? When my students tell me how much they enjoy my class!

​Ms. Phillips

What teams do you cheer for? Mizzou #96 and the Chiefs, of course!

What is something that makes you smile? Hearing my grandson tell me, "Gammy, I love you bunches!"

Who has been a great influence on your life and why? "My mom and dad! Even though they are no longer with me, I know they are always watching over me, my boys, and my grandchildren.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment? Graduating from Columbia College in December with a Bachelors of Arts in Human Services

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? A police officer​Where did you attend high school and college? Hallsville High School, Class of '94, and Columbia College, Class of Dec 2016

​Mr. Bonkoski

Where did you attend high school and/or college? Kirkwood High School and Missouri State

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? A stand-up comedian

What was the name of your first pet? Ernie and Bert the goldfish (as my parents tell me)

What is your greatest professional accomplishment? Created an underground theater.

Person you'd most like to meet? Why? Bruce Campbell. I'm a huge fan, and got to play one of his signature roles in a play.

​Mrs. Woods

Where did you attend high school and/or college? Harrisburg/CMU

What are you currently reading for enjoyment? Zane and the Hurricane

What college degrees do you hold? Bachelors in Education/ Masters in Administration

What magazine subscriptions do you receive? Missouri Conservation

"Every day I start my day with...." A tea

Who has been a great influence or your life and why? My father because he's such a hard worker and dedicated to his family.

What are some of your "favorite things?" Sweet Tea, Chocolate, Pizza

​If someone gave you $1000 to spend on your classroom, what would you buy? Laptops or Tablets

MRs. Terry

Where did you attend high school and college? North Callaway High School and Mizzou

Favorite breakfast food? Any kind of cereal!

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher, of course!

Who has been a great influence on your life and why? My dad and grandpa are both farmers. From them I learned the importance of a solid work ethic and taking pride in all I do. What was your first job? I was a clerk at Apple Wagon Antique Mall.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? My husband and I were married on the beach in Naples, Florida. I would love to go back! ​What makes you smile? I enjoying playing with my two-year old daughter, Reagan. She knows how to make me laugh!

​Mrs. Linneman

How long have you been teaching? This is my 18th year.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be a teacher. Well, a ballerina too, but I have no coordination or skills...​What magazine subscriptions do you receive?People Magazine--it's a guilty pleasure!

What books have you recently read for enjoyment? This summer I read "The Help," "The Girl on the Train," and "Big Little Lies."

What is your greatest professional accomplishment? When I see kids and families that I have had through the years and we reminisce about all the good memories we had together.

What are some of your favorite things? Family, friends, music, musicals, sports, and baking

If someone gave you $20, what would you buy? Groceries! (poor college student)

What do you do to relax? Read and watch movies

​Mrs. austene

Where did you attend high school and college? I'm all about the spirit! I've been a Spartan, a Greyhound, a Griffon, an Owl, and a Cougar!

Favorite breakfast food? I could eat breakfast for every meal and live a very happy life. Sausage biscuits are my go to thing on school days because we can grab them and eat them on the road. On weekends, we may throw in bacon, pancakes, some B's & G's. We eat enough to last us until dinner!

"Every day I start my day with...." I love on my two pups before I kick them outside. Then it's KOMU and coffee while I get my family rolling for the day!

What is your greatest professional accomplishment? For this year, it would be that I successfully recruited Mrs. Orscheln! She's a Rock Star!

What do you do to relax? I love to snuggle up with the family and stay home. If it's summer, I want to be on a raft somewhere. ​What are you currently reading? I just received a book from one of our awesome subs at school. His name is Daniel Cooper and he is a terminal cancer survivor. I'm excited to read his book, A Journey Across North America.

​Mrs. Haes

Your first job? My first paying job as a middle school student was sitting with an elderly neighbor while her children ran errands. I remember that I made her cream of mushroom soup for lunch and gathered eggs from the hen house during that time. We would crochet or embroider and watch game shows to fill out our morning.

Favorite breakfast food? Omelet with lots of veggies and cheese.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I would love to visit Asia. I have been to Israel, New Zealand, Australia, and to Europe several times. For our 30th anniversary, we are taking our family (children and grandchildren) on a cruise so we will be in Mexico some next summer. We have a friend in Brazil who we promise we will visit during the winter some day. My husband and I are hoping to spend the summer in Asia in the next few years.

What do you do to relax? Go outside. We are lucky to live on a small lake and so during the summer we are in the water with the grandkids. I enjoy finding state parks and walking the trails. If someone gave you $20, what would you do? Head to Houlihan's restaurant with my husband. We usually take playing cards and spend a couple of hours catching up from our busy schedules and looking forward to what the next week brings.

Some of your favorite things? My family, especially my 5 grandkids. When they come, I try to find fun activities - state park, library programs, playground. For them it is an electronics free weekend. We play games. Bake cookies.

Most likely place we'd find you on the weekend? Working in the yard or the garage. I love to plant flowers. I also love to build things....I always have a project going. I am usually making something for someone else.

Mrs. Williams

How long have you been teaching? This is my 20th year!

Where did you attend high school and college? Rock Bridge High School and The University of Missouri.

Most likely place we would find you on the weekend?A Mizzou sporting event! Especially MU football games tailgating with my family and cheering on the Tigers!

Something that makes you smile? Seeing children be successful and gain confidence.

Teams do you cheer for? Mizzou, Hallsville, St. Louis Cardinals, KC Royals, and the KC Chiefs!

What did you want to be when you grew up? An actress!

What do you do to relax? Watch Hallmark movies or reality TV.

What are some of your "favorite things?"Attending sporting events, Oreos, float trips, spending time with family, Coca Cola, and Chick-Fil-A!

​Mr. Cooley

What do you do to relax? Sit around a fire, playing my Ukulele.

Most likely place we would find you on the weekend?In my back yard by my BBQ grill. In my family I'm called the Grill Master!

If someone gave you a $1,000 for your classroom, what would you buy? As many iPads as I could get. I would love to have a class set. These can be great tools to get students engaged.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Greece and the Mediterranean. I would love to see all the ancient structures and beautiful water.

What are some of your "favorite things?" I collect sports cards. My favorites are my George Brett and Ken Griffey Jr cards. My prized card is a 2007 Kevin Durant rookie card.

​Ms. O'Bryan

What are you currently reading for enjoyment? Amish Series. They are my favorite types of books to read.

What was the name of your first pet? Rose- my favorite horse

What are some of your "favorite things?" Horses, clowns, yes I collect clowns....and I love being outside.

Favorite breakfast food? Oatmeal with berries and nuts

What did you want to be when you grew up? Always wanted to be involved with children. Thought I would own a daycare but switched to wanting to be a special education teacher once I started subbing in districts.

Where would we find you on the weekend? At my house doing something with cattle or yard work.

What was your greatest professional accomplishment? Being named Teacher of the Year

​Mrs. Troxel

Something that makes you smile? My daughters, Brynna (7) and Bradleigh (2). There is never a dull moment with the two - they always keep me on my toes!

What was your first job? I was a hostess/waitress at The Crossroads Restaurant in Sturgeon.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I've been to several places across the world, but Hawaii is at the top of my list!

What teams do you cheer for? Elite Eagles, Mizzou Tigers, and the Hallsville Indians!​What degrees do you hold? Bachelor of Science in Textile & Apparel Management - Marketing & Merchandising

Favorite breakfast food? French toast or biscuits and gravy - it's a tie!

​Ms. Eastin

How many years have you been teaching? This is my 9th year.

If someone gave you $1000 to spend on your classroom, what would you purchase? More outside toys for the preschool playground

Person you'd most like to meet? Any Dallas Cowboys player - past or present!

What do you do to relax? I like to eat Andy's Frozen Custard in my bed and watch Grey's Anatomy on Netflix in order to help me relax!

What was the name of your first pet? I had a pet turtle named Speedy!

​MISS BERRY

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be an archaeologist. I still could be. When I grow up.

"Every day I start my day with..." Coffee and the news.

What was your first job? My first honest to goodness job was at Mugs Up. I was a car hop there for about 3 years.

Favorite breakfast food? Biscuits and Gravy

What do you like to do to relax? When I relax and I mean really relax, there is usually no electrical devices on. No TV, radio, or phone. And if it is dark that makes it only better!

​MISS POYNER

What was your first job? Delivering flowers at the Vandalia Florist.

What are you currently reading for enjoyment? I have never read the Harry Potter series and as an English Teacher, I feel that I should, so I am currently reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Most likely place we'd find you on a weekend? On my couch or in my bed watching Netflix!

Where did you attend high school? Van-Far, Vandalia, MO

If someone gave you $20, what would you spend it on? I would probably go to Barnes and Noble to buy books.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be veterinarian and help animals.

What are some of your favorite things? Some of my favorite things include, reading, painting/drawing, watching movies, and building Legos.

​Miss Herington

Where did you attend high school and college? I graduated from Milan, MO high school and received undergrad and graduate degrees at Mizzou.

What was your first job? Dance teacher

What is something that makes you smile? Spending time with my chocolate lab, Bo. He's really goofy and always keeps me entertained.

What do you do to relax? Go for walks, shopping, read, or spend time with my family/friends.

What are some of your favorite things?Coffee, any dessert, my dog, Nicholas Sparks books, and teaching dance/cheer.

"Every day I start my day with..." Starbucks :)

One reason why it's a great day to be an Indian? I absolutely love working with the families and other staff members at Hallsville Primary! Everyone is so welcoming and friendly, and it really feels like home to me.

​Miss Ragan

"Every day I start my day with...." my record player. Music is what gets me out of bed!

Where did you attend high school? Hallsville High School

What are some of your favorite things?Improvisational comedy, making music, my friends, and my family.

If someone gave you $20, what would you spend it on?Chinese food

What do you do to relax? Go hiking or paint

What's something that makes you smile? My hedgehog, Norman

​Mrs. Westhoff

What teams do you cheer for? Missouri Tigers & Cardinals

What did you want to be when you grew up? Wedding Planner & Interior Decorator

If someone gave you $1000 for your classroom, what would you spend it on? TECHNOLOGY and books.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment? Past students as Seniors invite me to their graduation.

Who has been a great influence on your life?My grandparents- they led by example instead of telling how to live life.

"Every day I start my day with..." A yawn.

One reason why it's a great day to be an Indian? Part of the best family on earth.

​Mr. Heet

What degrees do you hold? Bachelor of Social Science Education, Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, and Masters of Sport Psychology.

What was your first job? Usher at The Muny, an outdoor theater in St. Louis.

What is something that makes you smile? Having five year old twin boys makes you laugh (and want to cry) everyday.

What do you do to relax? Not being on a schedule is very relaxing to me.

One reason why it's a great day to be an Indian? We are in a school district that has many people that are driven to make this place great.

​

​Mrs. Gunter

Mrs. Gunter is featured this week! She is in her ninth year of teaching and the mother to two sweet girls who make her smile! Here's what she shared with us!​Where did you attend high school and college? I attended Knox County High School and Truman State University

What college degrees do you hold? Bachelor of Science in Biology, Master of Arts in Elementary Education and Specialist in Elementary Administration

What magazine subscriptions do you receive?Missouri Conservationist

"Every day I start my day with...." a Diet Coke

How do you spend your weekends? I am in my backyard doing projects with my family!

Favorite breakfast food? Casey's breakfast pizza

What was your first job?I mowed lawns with my family. That is how we saved money for college.

One reason why it's a great day to be an Indian? It is a great day to be an Indian because of the amazing effort put forth everyday by teachers to do our very best for every child!

​Mr. Cripe

Mr. Cripe is featured this week! Although this is Mr. Cripe's first year with Hallsville, he has been teaching for 18 years and has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. He also coaches middle school football and basketball. Here's what he shared with us.

Where did you attend high school and college?Astoria High School in Illinois and Western Illinois University

What was your first job? Detasseling corn

Team you cheer for? CHICAGO CUBS!!!

"Every day I start my day with... coffee!

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Roaring 20's

Favorite breakfast food? B&G

What was the name of your first pet?Sarge

One reason why it's a great day to be an Indian? Because the staff here wants to help all the students to be their best!

​Mr. Carpenter​

Mr. Carpenter is featured this week! This is his first year of teaching! You can find him in the Ag classroom where he teaches middle school and high school students.

Here's what he shared with us.

Where did you attend high school and college? I attended Hickman High School and am a College of the Ozarks graduate.

What did you want to be when you grew up? A Veterinarian.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? New Zealand. I would enjoy hiking, learning about their culture, and being exposed to their Agriculture.

If someone gave you $1,000 for your classroom, what would you purchase? If the Ag Department had an extra $1000 to spend, we would buy a refrigerator to help keep meat and other food products to teach food science.

Hobbies? To relax, I enjoy taking care of farm animals and driving tractors.

September 12, 2016

​Mrs. Cowherd

Mrs. Cowherd is featured this week! When she was little, she knew she wanted to be a teacher! She began teaching in 1975, spent her first year in a public school, and the next eight in a private clinic. Her Hallsville career began in 1984 and she's been part of our team ever since! That's a total of 41 years!! [insert applause!!!]

Here's what she shared with us:

Favorite Breakfast Foods? All breakfast foods, including biscuits/gravy, eggs, and waffles, but I try to stick with eggs since they're a little healthier!

First Job? During college, I worked on the switchboard in the dorm. (Let's see how many people now what a switchboard is!!)

Hobbies? To relax, I enjoy walking my dog, working in the yard, quilting, and readingSomething that makes you smile? My granddaughters, ages 5 years and 21 months, make me smile because you never know what they are going to do, or say!!

Greatest Professional Accomplishment? To spend so many years in an outstanding school district!